'Subak' system: Several farmers plant paddy under the subak system in Jatiluwih, Tabanan, Bali. Subak, a traditional farming and irrigation system used in Bali, was placed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2012. (JP/Agung Parameswara)

The Bali provincial administration has finally realized its plan to provide cash assistance to 17 subak farming locations.

Ketut Suastika, head of the Bali Cultural Agency, told The Jakarta Post on Friday that the funding would be allocated from the provincial budget in the 2014 fiscal year.

'We will deliver cash assistance to 17 subak locations included in the UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. Each subak will receive Rp 100 million [US$8,210],' Suastika said.

'The cash assistance can be used for various purposes related to farming activities such as managing irrigation channels or renovating subak temples,' he added.

In addition, the 17 subak farming locations will still receive annual cash assistance of Rp 30 million.

In the last few years, the Bali administration has annually provided special funding for 2,706 subak locations across the island in an attempt to preserve the system that has played a huge role in managing and running the island's agricultural activities for hundreds of years. In addition to its role in the agricultural sector, subak involves its members in cultural and ritual activities.

Subak reflects the philosophical concept of Tri Hita Karana, which brings together the realms of the spirit, the human world and nature.

The subak system of democratic and egalitarian farming practices has enabled the Balinese to become the most prolific rice growers in the archipelago, despite the challenge of supporting a dense population.

In June 2012, UNESCO officially acknowledged subak as a cultural landscape, placing it on its World Heritage List during the organization's annual meeting in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Included in the UNESCO-recognized landscapes are the 18th-century royal temple of Taman Ayun in Badung, the Batukaru mountain reserve in Tabanan, the Pakerisan watershed in Gianyar and Lake Batur in Bangli, in total covering 19,500 hectares.

With the recognition, UNESCO requires the provincial administration to enforce programs for their preservation. However, more than one year has passed but no real programs have been implemented.

Last year, UNESCO strongly urged the provincial administration to take concrete action to immediately preserve subak.

In a letter sent to the administration, UNESCO frequently reminded Bali of the importance of preserving subak and questioned its programs since the UN agency had declared its status.

Suastika denied that the administration had ignored UNESCO's requirements.

'After this [cash assistance], we will establish a board to oversee and manage the heritage sites. The board will be established at the end of this year,' Suastika said.

Wayan Windia, professor of agriculture and head of the Subak Research Center at Udayana University, was disappointed over the slow response of the Bali provincial administration.

'The Bali administration should immediately take action to preserve subak as UNESCO will periodically evaluate the actions taken by the government. If we do not take any action, UNESCO will revoke the world heritage status,' Windia reminded.

'Many farmers living and working in the heritage sites have also questioned the benefits of the UNESCO recognition. So, in my opinion, the administration should work faster to manage it,' Windia added.

Meanwhile, Gede Gunung Putra, pekaseh (head of a Subak group) of Gunung Sari at the Jatiluwih heritage site in Tabanan, said farmers in the area badly needed water.

'Despite the fact that Jatiluwih is a UNESCO heritage site, we still have to face a water crisis with decreasing water supplies and broken irrigation canals.'

Putra has frequently urged the Bali administration to provide a tax exemption for farmers in Jatiluwih and elsewhere in Bali. 'Jatiluwih has become a tourist site and farmers here are forced to sell their land to accommodate the development of villas or other tourist accommodations, as farming has ceased to provide an adequate livelihood.'

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